Editorial: Treasuring our veterans

The death last week of Beverly Funderburg was yet another reminder that we need to cherish our World War II veterans and to value the efforts of all veterans.

Funderburg served in the Coast Guard during World War II, and has been an active part of the American Legion Post 71 for many years.

She spent much of her life after World War II in North Augusta. She was a charter member of Immanuel Baptist Church. She worked in the Veterans Affairs for 24 years and had volunteered at the Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Hospital.

Her post-war life was a testament to the civic-mindedness of most veterans. She came back from the war and dedicated a huge portion of her life to work for others.

It seems that so many of her generation saw the importance of giving back - even though so many veterans had already given so much. That legacy, in part, led to the Tom Brokaw moniker "The Greatest Generation."

The death rate of World War II veterans was an average of 740 a day last year, for a total of about 270,000. In 2012, another 248,000 are expected to die. At the same time, it is likely that some World War II veterans will live into the 2030s.

Funderburg was 90 when she died, yet her death came too soon for her family and for her community. We hope that she left this world knowing how much what she has done was appreciated.

It is a lesson to us all. Don't wait to say "Thank you" to the veterans in your life. Treasure the Greatest Generation.